Sports

After 1st postseason cycle, Holt returns to Boston's bench

09 of October 2018

FILE - Clockwise from top left: Boston Red Sox's Brock Holt connects for a base hit in the fourth inning, hits a ground-rule double in the eighth inning, hits a two-run triple in the fourth inning, and follows through on a two-run home run in the ninth inning, becoming the first player to hit for the cycle in a postseason game against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of baseball's American League Division Series in New York, Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. The Red Sox beat the Yankees 16-1. (AP Photo/File),FILE - Clockwise from top left: Boston Red Sox's Brock Holt connects for a base hit in the fourth inning, hits a ground-rule double in the eighth inning, hits a two-run triple in the fourth inning, and follows through on a two-run home run in the ninth inning, becoming the first player to hit for the cycle in a postseason game against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of baseball's American League Division Series in New York, Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. The Red Sox beat the Yankees 16-1. (AP Photo/File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Becoming the first player to hit for a postseason cycle earned Brock Holt a return to the Boston Red Sox bench.

Ian Kinsler was back at second base for Game 4 of the AL Division Series on Tuesday night against the New York Yankees and left-hander CC Sabathia.

Holt, a left-handed batter, had four hits and five RBIs in Boston’s 16-1 rout on Monday night, his first game of the postseason. His cycle came in the major leagues’ 1,562nd postseason game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The right-handed-hitting Kinsler is 3 for 9 with one RBI.

Boston manager Alex Cora inserted Eduardo Nunez at third base in place of Rafael Devers, who started Game 3. Christian Vazquez was behind the plate for the second straight night after Sandy Leon started the first two games.

Steve Pearce was at first base for the second straight night; Mitch Moreland left Game 2 after hurting his right hamstring while running the bases.

Boston leads 2-1 in the best-of-five series.

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